As Eleanor stared out to the ocean, she caught the first glimpse of the world beyond. For such an isolated people, they could see far beyond the horizon. With the sun beaming above, dancing sparkles of diamonds littered the water like some precious gem.
Kinda wish I had somebody paint this.
But the thought disappeared as she turned to the volcano. Embedded into the face, a grand temple shone on the harbor's land. Scarlet crystals lined the temples entrance, encrusted into its archways and steps. Each step seemed to pulsate. It was as if the mountain itself was alive.
The redhead stepped up, looking around. Aoife at her side, nodding. Even standing firm at the site of her primary element, she could tell that the malak was shaking. Awesome power resided here like the fires of the Loegres great furnaces.
And soon, they found the primary entrance into the temple. Aoife staggered herself, feeling the heat radiating from its center.
"Be warned Sherpherd… This trial is not as forgiving as the last." She turned to Alex and nodded. "The same goes for you pup."
Not as forgiving? What part of the desert was forgiving!? Steeling herself, Eleanor gulped. "Ok, I'm ready. Let's get the blessing and head to the next location."
As soon as Eleanor stepped her foot onto the temple's grounds, her body shivered. A distant booming sound blasted from the interior. It was Musiphe's domain, ruled by smoke and flame and heat.
Aoife opened her mouth. She was screaming but no sound came from her mouth. Scarlet sparks erupted from her body as she disappeared back into Eleanor's body.
{ I'm sorry Shepherd but Musiphe's domain is too great. I… I cannot center myself in this place. It is… too strong. If I tried to stay, then it'll rebound to you and make you faint. Maybe even worse. }
"I-I understand Aoife. Please, if we appeal to her, maybe her domain will lessen."
{ Thank you. }
She gulped, stepping in. Alex followed right behind, blade in her hand. Immediately, she coughed, using the walls as a stable point.
Light was no issue as they descended into the volcano. The natural crystalized magma and lava glowed through. Unlike the temple for Eumacia, this one had fire danced about the stone with every step. A little vibration started with the slightest touch, eventually blow out like a small spark. And yet, the air still felt new, fresh even. Without any visible vegetation, this temple was getting fresh air.
Finally, they reached the bottom. A smaller antechamber with three stone doors. The largest one in the center while two smaller ones paralleled each other on opposite sides. A small tablet awaited before them. Written descriptions for a trial.
To those who wish to see the crypt of Musiphe and the realm of fire, two must enter at opposite ends. The trials ahead will test your strength, through flame and thoughts.
Eleanor turned to Alex. "I guess this is a trial for the both of us."
The blonde bowed her head. "And so it is. I will take the right side, you take the left."
Getting to their respected doors, they pushed them open and walked through.
For the Shepherd, she continued, readying her spear. The disjoined feeling of heat and Musiphe's presence tightened her chest. Aoife fell silent. The feeling of her bond was getting weaker and weaker as she walked through.
A low groaning scrapped behind her. The doors sealed shut. Closing her eyes, Eleanor centered herself and pressed forward. The corners of her eyes spotted wisps of purple-black dust. Drips of sweat fell from her forehead. Did malevolence seep into the temple? Would it affect something like the Empyreans?
The thought worsened. The difference between a regular malak, a high malak and an Empyrean was based on their oaths, their powers. But for the malak on this earth, those cursed by the Seraphim.
Eleanor shivered. Like an icy dagger jabbed her back. Reflexively, she dropped her spear and scrambled to pick it up. This was not like the Palamides Temple. Not like the Earthpulse points they searched for therions.
The temple was alive. Whatever inflection the Empyrean left on the temple, it affected the entire temple. She was in Musiphe's territory, and she has yet to determine whether she was a threat. Going and going, Eleanor's sense of direction spun. One set of cracks and glowing lava looked like another. It felt like she was going in the same path, the same cycle over and over again.
Nevertheless, she pressed on. Deeper still, small wisps of malevolence gathered and dispersed. Now, standing in an empty antechamber, she heard voices. Ghostly hollowed voices calling out to her.
Eleanor turned, finding herself among several other exorcists and Lord Melchior standing before her.
"The Abbey requires your aid, young ones." He spoke as a kindly gentleman. "We need people like yourself to help defend humanity."
That's right… I was here. The day he came and chose us. Eleanor looked down as one of the students stepped forward.
"And of you, young girl?" He looked to her. "Will you join us?"
As she looked, Eleanor felt spit swell in the back of her throat. Her eyes darted from corner to corner. She was among young children. "I… Joined that day. Because I wanted to help."
Another student stepped forward.
"The Shepherd Artorius is our guiding light, the beacon of hope for the rest of the empire. Only he can lead the charge against the daemon horde."
And yet another. This time, a young teenager.
"I followed him until I met her."
"Indeed, and so you followed your own path. Until you needed the Abbey again. You wanted to help those that couldn't help yourself. A way to repay for all the kindness given to you. To break the cycle of the tragedy you had… Losing your mother. Losing the one you cherished the most."
Eleanor felt her heart throb in her chest. She never told Kamoana. She hoped to tell her soon, within the last few years, when she was old enough to understand. But the time, and the commitments. The council and the instructions. The doubt and the fear.
Even after they killed the daemon troll that killed her mother, the Shepherd had her doubts.
Without knowing, the last student stepped forward, now as a young adult.
"And now." Melchior nodded. "You are all alone. Join us. The path that guided you to where you are now."
All the students glowed with shimmering lights. An array of green, blue, red, and yellow shifted around them. The armatus glowed like crystalline starlight. Augmented weaponry floated about them, slowly lifting and dropping as they breathed.
"No…" She shook her head, gripping her spear tighter. "No… I remember what the armatus did to those that couldn't control it. They disintegrated."
"And yet, you'd have your own exorcist use an armatus?"
"That's not what..!" Eleanor shook her hands. "That's not what I meant! Aoife and the rest of the malak followers of Maotelus are correcting that! Making it safer, making it –"
"And yet you've used all the same artifacts. All the same titles. All the same terms and powers as those before. And you wish for the Prince to erase the old history." Melchior smiled, as a grandfather would his young grandson. "Even Alice has become like me."
Silence held as Eleanor quivered. The sweat of her brow falling over her eyes and lips.
"Who are you to not know your own history?"
The Shepherd stood her ground, swiping her spear out. Fear quaking her skin as she pointed it at them. "I've heard enough! I know my own history!"
All of them converged on her. But with a single swipe of her spear, their forms disappeared. As if they were never there. Apparitions of dust, heat, and fire.
Eleanor felt her heart slow. She was calming down. This place was a test. They were never real, and yet, she felt something rub off her spear when she slashed them.
Looking around, she found the path again and followed. Deeper she went, but the temperature was the same. Almost uniformly so. But as she continued, the glowing rocks seemed to fade into harder, almost solid granite blocks. She sniffed the air.
Water? Her legs pulled her forwards. Closer and closer, she felt the air cooling.
There was a small spring inside the chambers. Clear liquid water trickled down a small craved hole in the wall. A small well collected the water in a dish as Eleanor cupped her hands and drank. Splashing some across her face, she sighed. At least the temple and its trails weren't trying to kill her through dehydration.
As she continued, Eleanor kept her spear raised. Another antechamber opened to her. This one was larger than the last. Various villagers and knights of the empire occupied this room.
A bit of her wondered if like the apparitions of the last chamber, they'd disappear if she touched them. Carefully, she bumped into one.
"H-hey, no pushing!" The man chided, looking at her before minding his own business.
"S-sorry..!" Eleanor winced, backing away as she bumped into another person. Again, the same feeling. As if they were there.
"W-watch i-… Oh? Aren't you the Shepherd?"
The redhead froze. Some of the crowd turned to her.
"She's the Shepherd?"
"So young…"
"Not what I was expected as a successor to Artorius."
Her feelings, her doubts. The words and rumors that spread as she led.
"Wasn't see exiled from the Abbey?"
"No, that's not what I heard."
"I heard she was a traitor…"
Eleanor shoved and pushed herself from the crowd. Soon, the mob grabbed pitchforks and torches. Farmers tools and whatever they could grab. Malevolence spread from person to person as they transformed into daemons.
She ran through. Werewolves chasing after her as the crowd gave way. As if this was her punishment. Their whispers became screams and cries. Turning and turning, the antechamber warped into a ruined village. Flopping crackling footsteps turned to crunching boots under mud and grass. Smoke fogged her way as the thundering trample of werewolves stormed between houses and streets. There were too many of them.
As Eleanor found herself rushing between former houses and soot, a hollowing roar burst above the roofs. Fiery amber eyes that could burn a hole in the sky, wielding a blunt support of a destroyed house.
"B-But I killed you..!" She screamed, retreating further and further. At the edge of the town, a ripple of the temple's hallway appeared. She ran and ran and ran as the daemons closed in. One of them swiped.
Sharp pain surged through back, but she kept running and running until she reached the hallway. Eleanor turned back and saw the room empty.
No destroyed houses. No villagers. No guards or daemons. Just an empty room of crackling fire veins all about its dome.
She checked her back. No tear. Not even a scratch but the pain remained.
Shaken, Eleanor using her spear as a minor crutch as she continued further on.
This time, there was no water spring. No stopping point before another antechamber. One person stood in the center. Raven-black hair almost dragging to her armored boots. Thick white gauze wraps around her right arm.
"V-velvet..?" She struggled into the room as the other woman turned to her.
"You're looking worse for wear." She huffed, crossing her arms.
"I know, I know… Th-this place is…" Her mouth reacting faster than her brain. "I just don't know… It's digging. Pulling out wounds of the Abbey."
"It's a trial. What did you expect?"
"A tri…" She paused. "R-right. This is a trial and… You're not the real Velvet."
The 'therion' before her crossed her arms. "Glad you've found some perspective in the last seven years."
"Oh fuck you."
A raised eyebrow and a step forward. "Did our virtuous Shepherd just curse?"
Eleanor pulled herself back up, a hand on her hip. "Yeah, and what of it? If you're this trial's illusion, you'd know this part."
"No… No, I do not." Velvet's usual frown deepened. Taking a seat, the daemon sighed. "Sit."
Following suit, she did just that. "Alright, I'll play along."
The two stared at one another, letting the seconds pass. The Shepherd looked at Velvet's left arm. Empty. No weapon. She quickly checked her own. It was hers. With her spear at her side, she said, "I… It's been a long few years Velvet. I can't even remember the last time I checked your grave."
"I still can't believe you made that."
"It's what I can do. Right after the Hexen Isle Incident, the people looked up to me as the next Shepherd. Lancelot du Capulus was proven wrong and it looked like everything was going well."
"But that's just about the time you broke up with Rokurou, isn't it?"
She looked down. "It was… I still have mixed feelings about everything."
"You're as easy to read as a book." Velvet smirked.
"Hey, shut up, I'll telling you everything since you've been gone." Eleanor stamped. "But…"
"But..?"
"It's nothing like your rage, or Rokurou's passion, Eizen's spirit or Magilou's… Magilou. I feel drawn out. Like I'm running the same cycle again."
"You're an incredibly selfish person to tackle it all on your own."
"Not everybody can handle the truth. I held that tournament and other things to test them. See if my Legates could handle the truth."
"But they did, didn't they?"
"All of them. Faithfully." She smiled. "I just want to be Eleanor again. Not the Shepherd."
"I never got the chance." Velvet sighed. "Forever branded in history as the 'Lord of Calamity'. I think it just fits."
"No… No." The redhead turned, shaking her head. "Not to me. Not to Eizen, Rokurou, Magilou or Laphicet. Not to those that know."
"And when exactly will you tell them?"
"I…" She looked down. "I don't have an answer."
"And neither did I."
"What do you mean?"
"The whole sacrifice thing with Innominat." Velvet sighed. "I really didn't expect to come back."
"You were plotting the entire time of dying there, didn't you?"
"After killing Artorius, stopping Innominat. What else would I do? Still a daemon. Still a therion. I'm… lost."
The creases around Eleanor's eyes soften. She gulped. "So where are you now?"
"You should know that now. Following your shadow, as the Lord of Calamity would. The Shepherd. The Lord of Calamity. Two opposite ends. Tied together."
She shook her head. "No. Not as those things… Those titles, those things people call without any knowledge. I'm talking about you, Velvet Crowe. Why are you coming to me?"
The therion looked away. Her eyes wandered about the room before looking back at her. "I don't know. But just remember Eleanor. This is just how you see Velvet. The real one… may not like what you've become…"
"…" Tears gently flowed from her eyes. A small blotch covered her vision. Blinking, and Eleanor found herself alone in the chamber again.
For a moment, the Shepherd leaned against the floor, tucking in her arms and feet. There was nothing in the chamber, no sounds coming from the air or floor. Like a solid piece of granite, she was… alone.
Eleanor wanted to shout. She wanted to scream. She wanted to flail her spear about, attacking and sprawling herself, letting every bit of pain, torment and anguish out. All the pent-up emotion, the wall she created for herself in the eyes of the people, the empire, her men, and her legates.
But she didn't. Slowly, the Shepherd took to her feet again, rested from her small talk.
There'll be another time to do all those things. And perhaps, with an audience that would not care.
-.-.-
Only a short few steps out of the hall and she found herself at the heart of the temple. Glowing, vermillion ore lined every cobblestone and igneous rock. Like the waxing moon, the majority was solidified magma floors. Curtains of lava poured through flaming aqueducts in the pool on the far side of the chamber. Just as she suspected, three doorways led here. Two for the trials and one large one for the rest of them.
"E-eleanor..!"
A voice called out from a nearby exit. Gloved hands clawed their way out of the other trial entrance. Alex pulled herself through, one hand clutching her chest as she kneeled over. Immediately, Eleanor dashed over, checking her legate.
A small pouch hung from the side of her belt, sloshing of water. Eleanor yanked it off, helping her gargle it down.
The blonde cough, using her scabbard as a prop. "Th-thanks… H-how were your trials?"
{ S-Shepherd..! } Aoife's voice returned as she manifested besides her. "Young pup, your trials weren't as forgiving as the Shepherd's, weren't they?"
Again, she croaked, pulling her face away as if she was throwing up. Thin wisps of purple haze steamed off her back. "I-I'm fine. I'm good…"
"And both of you had done well to make it this far…"
The three women turned to the center as the lava bubbled. Hot glops of molten rock and metal slid off as something rose up. The body of a serpent slithered out, carrying mounds of magma as it splattered on the floor and solidified. Scarlet colored wings spread themselves slowly, not to splash the occupants of its bath.
The dragon howled, expelling the sun from its throat before leaning down and peering at them. For a moment, it hissed, eyeing them as judgment came upon all of them. As a manner of restraint, it bowed its head. Before its jaw, sparks glowed as another form manifested before them, walking as if it emerged from its bowls.
A beautiful woman with long curling hair that faded into pyres. She was royally dressed, wearing the distinct uniform of an old Abbey Praetor, stylized with reds and oranges of her mountain keep. With eyes of coal, she tilted her head up, expecting herself as the Empyrean of Fire and Strength.
"I am Musiphe, the Empyrean of Fire."
"L-Lady Teresa…" Eleanor bowed her head.
The Empyrean tilted her head to the side. "I'm not sure who this 'Teresa' is, but I suppose she was important to you in another life."
Th-that's right. Eizen said that it's extreme circumstances that any reincarnated malak would remember their past human lives… "Empyrean Musiphe, in accordance with the pact with the Sixth Empyrean of Light, I have come to your domain to request your blessings."
She looked over, observing her bonded malak. "You. What is your name?"
"Aoife."
"Not that, your true name."
The firebrand scowled for a moment before saying, "Jawweiw Aietu."
The Empyrean smiled. "A fitting name." Turning her head, she saw Alex, still struggling on her legs. Her eyes softened, yet her stance remained tall. Slender fingers reached out to her. A slight tinge rolled over her body before she grabbed her hand and pulled herself up.
"A struggling heart is far more interesting to see than one that is fully resolute." Musiphe let go and walked away from them. She turned, holding her hand out as arte circles glowed around Eleanor.
By the blessings of the Empyrean of Fire, and the purifying radiance of flame, may your strength carry you through your journey
Eleanor breathed, feeling the blessings flow through her. Like a hot metal pouring through her veins, she held her ground as Aoife felt the same. What lasted but a few seconds felt like an eternity before she grasped her spear tighter.
Alex stood in the back, hesitant to hold her steady. But the redhead held her hand back, and she followed.
"Perhaps the next trials shouldn't be as harsh…" Hummed Musiphe as she played with a lock of hair.
"Maybe you should've thought of that ahead of time." The blonde grumbled.
"The villagers at the bottom of the volcano had no issues." She shrugged. "Their trials were basically fighting arenas. You two on the other hand, deciding to just talk with these apparitions."
"Wait, so fighting them was the end result for all three chambers?"
"Correct. However, what the Shepherd had done with the last chamber is most fascinating."
Eleanor blinked. "I-I was thinking the exact same as Alex. So it was all just fighting trials?"
"This is a trial of strength. Fighting and retreating are all forms of strength." She frowned. "Were the instructions not clear?"
The girls looked away.
"… Even more things to consider. Regardless, you have given me some introspective Shepherd. Perhaps the next Shepherd will participate in a renewed trial." Musiphe smiled. "However, there are other matters I wish to speak to you about Shepherd."
Eleanor stood herself steady. The heat and trials were slowly sinking into her body. Fatigue settled in. "What do you mean?"
"It is about the other Four Empyreans. As Eumacia informed me, you are aware of the Lord of Calamity's return."
"I know Velvet's returned."
The Empyrean hissed, volcanic venting fumed the air. A small glow burned in her eyes before she regained her composure. "… How odd. That name. It feels like an exceptionally large geode indigestion. Regardless, it is more about our natures. You are told by Zui Fuu that the Five Empyreans were placed on this earth.
"But you are not given the full truth. Originally, it was just the Four. Earth, Fire, Wind, and Water. It was us, plus the few seraphim that became the malakhim that decided to curb humanities malevolence. The Fifth Empyrean, it is a trap."
Their eyes widened. "What do you mean a trap?"
"The very nature of –"
She never finished her sentence. Something in the air snapped as all eyes turned to the main entrance. Standing in the middle of the archway, a lone soldier stood. Clad in grey and blue, a ram-shaped mask obscured its face. A large plank of metal and wood shaped like a cross was held close to her cheek as it slowly lowered.
Their ears and head quaked as Musiphe screamed. A large metallic spike struck the Empyrean's main body, protruding from its head. The antechamber shook as if the world would split in two.
"Target incapacitated." The masked person said. Their voice low and monotone. "Returning to base."
Aoife conjured a fireball, lobbing it the assassin. But to no avail as they disappeared in a simple grey flash.
Eleanor turned back to the Empyrean, its main body thrashing about.
"L-lady Ter- M-Musiphe! Please calm..!"
Alex and Aoife grabbed her hand, pulling her away. "Shepherd! We must leave!"
"N-no! If Musiphe is..!"
"We must go!"
No number of screams and cries held her steady. From the Empyrean's ethereal form, she mouthed 'Get to safety'. Yet her body betrayed her, flailing and rocking about the volcano's interior like a feral beast. The last Eleanor saw was the Empyrean fleeing into the depths of magma, splashing ponds of lava about.
Through crumbling hallways and fallen pillars, they broke the surface. But the quakes did not stop. All about the island, from the animals and plants shook in fear. Black smoke rose from the depths of the volcano tip. Thunder erupted in the skies. Orange-glowing brimstone and smoke descended about the village as Alex and Aoife dragged her away.
Further and further they ran. Whoever had the temple build was clear enough to make sure the lava wouldn't cover their tracks. But as Eleanor turned her eyes to the village, she saw it hailed with soot and fire and stone. Entire rooftops and sand caught fire. The shrieks and cries roared above the sound as tears fell from her face.
Her entire body dropped as Aoife felt her body snap and retreated into the Shepherd's body. Alex nearly tumbled as she caught her body.
"N-no, no, no, no…!" The redhead repeated.
"Eleanor! Stay with me!"
As their world was slowly eroded by smoke and fiery rivers, Alex felt danger crawl up her skin. This was not the natural world coming down upon them. She drew her sword, keeping her charge safely behind her.
Humanoid figures rose from the ashes and lava. Humans once, but carved in black armored carapaces, sculpting their muscles to the finest detail. Bone-like protrusions marked their extremities as they stood. Armor like the Venator-class Exorcists, but… inhumane. Imperfect. Cold.
Monstrous.
A chill settled in her heart as she saw them approach. A muffling sound of cannon fire from a pirate ship with red sails firing on an enormous galleon in the distance. The cries of the Shepherd's name two women ran towards them.
But between them stood the leader of these humanoid beings.
Twisted unicorn horn. Verdant shining eyes from its visor as if the hell-fires of the sky burned. A twist lump of metal mangled into a sword that seemed to breath with its user.
An Azure Knight.
Fight as your life depends on it, Raise Thy Sword as calamity descends upon the Shepherd.
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